In our climate, cold frames are useful, but not as much as they are in places with milder climates. If they are in the sun, you cannot leave plants in them in winter, because temperatures in the frames can fluctuate enormously. They stay buried in ice and snow for most of the winter. However they are especially handy in spring.
I use mine to start seeds in the spring or to protect plants from a late cold snap. One less conventional way I use them is to warm up water. I have watering cans filled with water which I leave in the cold frames, and after several hours of sunshine the water gets tepid which is appreciated by plants like tomatoes.
However the heat that warms up the water also causes problems. I have often mentioned that there are few humans around here, but lots of wild life. At this time of the year, on sunny days, snakes get into the cold frame to bask in the sun. These are garter snakes or milk snakes which are not dangerous in any way (actually milk snakes are better mousers than cats, and I always treat these with due respect - I am not so fond of garter snakes as they eat our frogs in the rill).
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| Garter snake visiting the cold frame on a sunny day |
All this to say that I am always nervous lifting the light of a cold frame and especially getting a flat of plants out of the frame, because if there is a snake, it will usually be having a little snooze curled up under a flat of plants. I am not afraid of them but they always make me jump. Once the snake sees you, it tries to get away, but, strangely enough, usually it does not seem to remember where it came in as it scurries around trying for find a way out. The garter snake in the pictures above and below, which visited the cold frame this morning, was trying to squeeze itself into a hole in the stone wall that backs the cold frame. However it did not fit in the hole completely, the tail remained sticking out. When I checked a few hours later it was gone.
To end the post with some colour - the last tulips of the season.
I hadn't considered plants liking lukewarm water, but as that's generally the temperature of the rain barrel, I'm ahead.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea to warm up water in the cold frame. Mine is up on a tool bin, so I don't think the snakes can get up there. Cold frames are great for starting seeds a little earlier than directly in the soil--without the mess of starting them inside. Also, as you say protecting plants if there's a sudden, unexpected freeze or frost.
ReplyDeleteI'm another that jumps when I lift the lid of the compost bin, and find one curled up there. Ours is just a harmless grass snake, but still I jump.
ReplyDeleteI usually leave watering cans of water in the greenhouse to warm up, sometimes I forget, but the plants don't seem to come to any harm.
We don't get snakes in the garden but if there is one that eats slugs and snails it woulld be welcome
ReplyDeleteSue. see answer to Angie below.
DeleteGood grief, how on earth did that snake manage to fit itself in that tiny hole in the wall? Further still, how on earth is it going to reverse out? I'm lucky in that I don't have to worry about snakes startling the bejesus out of me as I go about gardening.
ReplyDeleteYour comment makes me regret that I did not settle there for a little while to see how it would reverse out.But reverse it did.
DeleteYou get used to them, although I must admit that I always jump when I see one. It must be hard wired in us.
I am so glad we have no snakes here.When I see that garter snake in your cold frame I shiver already and when I should lift a tray and discover a snake I´m sure jumping sky high. Your last tulips of the season look very pretty and sunny.
ReplyDeleteI think tepid water is quite significant to tomatoes and peppers at the very beginning of the season but for the rest of the year and for most other things it does not matter. I don't bother even with my achimenes - the hot water plant! It might sprout a few days earlier - but thats it.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to learn from people's experiences such as yourself Alain all those things not in the gardening books
No snakes here either but like Sue I'd love one that ate the slugs and snails. I'd be very wary of sticking my hands down in the cold frame but like you I wouldn't be afraid, it would probably just make me jump.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't realised the benefit that some plants would get if the water was warmer, thanks for that Alain.
Believe it or not, we do have a snake that eats slugs - and it is beautiful (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_green_snake). However it lives in grass, not in gardens. I have tried twice to take one to the garden hoping they would settle here but they did not. They look lovely, like jewel.
DeleteI've used them in the spring but they were a lot of work for not much gain.
ReplyDeleteYour cold frames looks great even if they're not as year round useful as you would hope. I keep meaning to build one for overwintering potted plants and bulbs but it hasn't happened yet.
ReplyDeleteI also give a good jump when I see a snake. I don't mind them but it's always a surprise!
Thank you for leaving a message.
DeleteThey are simple to build. I got three discarded windows from Habitat for Humanity (you must also have Habitat for Humanity in your area) for $5 each. I have pieces of 2x4 which I use to prop up the covers when it gets hot. Before long I want to write a post about a small home-made hoop house which I find a lot more useful than the cold frame - stay tune!
Warmed water in buckets helps to keep warmth in nighttime also! So it is good idea to have a water reservuar inside greenhouse or coldframe. Your bed of tulips look outstanding!
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since I've seen a snake here but I don't like them, either, although I do have great respect for them. Seeing one would make me jump, too.
ReplyDelete